It has been a while since I have posted! Not because I have nothing to say, life happened! Fortunately, I have a group of guys I meet with every other Sunday, when life allows, that mean more to me than anything! The last time I was with them, just a few weeks ago, I was challenged and humbled by the church pastor (from The Chapel, Grayslake), Brent Davis to further my leadership in the church. His explanation is simple but resonates profoundly! Thanks Brent and the Dawn Patrol, you know who you are, for making me a better man! Here is the story!
We all need a Paul, a Barnabas, and a Timothy. These are the names of 3 important people in the Bible. This model can be a focus in your life, a purpose finder, and a satisfier like it has been for mine. Paul was a fervent non-believer who eventually accepted Christ as his leader and began spreading the good news around the world. He was the resident genious when it came to sharing the word of God! We all need a Paul. That person, who no matter what the environment, is our mentor and confidant. That guy (or girl) who we get way more from than we are able to give. We also all need a Barnabas! A peer, a friend, some body who is "at our level" whatever level that is. We share equally with Barnabas. It is a give and take relationship that matures both sides. It resides in "mutuality"!
Timothy is the challenge for all of us! We all need a Timothy. Timothy is the person(s) in our life that needs us to be his/her Paul! We need to be there, as a role model, friend, and leader for the Timothy in our life. We give to Timothy no matter how much, if any, we get back from him.
I bet if somebody asked you, "Who is your Paul?", you would probably have a quick and emphatic response. I am equally confidant that we can all name a Barnabas or two in our lives! But, who are you investing in, who is your Timothy. It only makes sense that if God has provide you a "Paul" and a "Barnabas" that He is holding you responsible for having a "Timothy". If you do awesome, keep investing and maybe challenge yourself to find another. If you do not, does that sit well with you, deep in your heart can you say it is ok to have a giver, a sharer, but not be a giver yourself? For me it is no longer ok? I am purposeful in searching situations to be someones "Paul". I hope that this purposeful effort is impactful on others, I know it is for me. To my Pauls, thank God for all of you. To my Barnabas's, I love our time together and the challenges we provide each other. Timothy, I am here, and I am looking for you every day! God bless!
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